I'm trying to buy a used car from a private party, ie not a dealership, and i don't know what to do. This is my first time and I don't wanna get screwed. Could you please help me out as far as paperwork to get it transferred under my name? Also, how do I get a car reregistered, tagged, and inspected since it has been long expired? Any fees I should know about before negotiating a final price? Finally, what other fun surprises should I look out for?

thanks

 

He signs the title over to u ---Make sure that if a title is under a husband and wife---both sign over ---Also u need to get a title transfer form ---Pick one up where u buy your tags---Have that signed at the same time----Take them to Tag office and turn them in. If u choose --the seller does not have to write down the purchase price ---So ---Hypathetically---If you paid 20,000 u can put down u paid 10,000 and pay tax on that rather 20. Pay tax and title transfer and registration. Course u need proof of insurance---U will get proof of registration and tags if u want new ones----Over 3 years old they are free I think. Put ur sticker on the window, Go to inspection --Get that sticker ---couple weeks u get the title in your name. Just make sure it is a clear title--No liens---Make sure the VIN on the title matchs the VIN on the car

 

Have you compared the NADA value to their asking price? If not you can retrieve this online or at any local credit union. Are you financing or paying cash, people are usually more flexible on negotiations when cash is present. Good luck. PS: What are you buying BTW.

 

i'll be paying cash. trying to get a 1989 Jeep Cherokee for under 800. beat to hell but it should work for a while longer. I need to do everything involving the selling party at once because they live a couple hours away. they say brake lights don't work, and speedometer cable is broken so I need to drive it back very not street legal.

what is a Tag office? DMV? Am I supposed to get insured on the vehicle before I buy it? I must have misunderstood. Is there a free way to check the clear title? That would suck to buy a car that can't be sold to me.

 

Sounds to me like your just buying a beater to get you from A to B.
First I would put $500.00 on the title not $800.00 and definitely check
the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the title and car to ensure they
match. The VIN is on the Drivers door near the locking mechanism.

Based on what you said above. You will have to fix the speedometer cable and brake lights before it will pass inspection. You might want to also make sure there is enough tread left on your tires to pass.

I highly recommed finding someone you can trust that knows cars and get them to check it out before you buy someone elses headache.

Be very carefull on this type of purchase, you can wind up spending allot more money than you anticipated.

As far as driving home illegal, I recommend a friend following you and make sure you have all your paperwork.

As far as insurance, if you are insured now then you have 30 days to call the insurance company and switch it over so all you need is your current insurance card incase you get stopped and the signed over title.

Make sure they also put the correct mileage on the title. You can do a google search online. There are alot of places online that will do a VIN check to see what the vehicles history is if any. It will tell you if the car has ever been wrecked, stolen, etc..

Finally, make sure you both sign a contract other than the title if there is anything that you agree to verbally. Put it in writing always!

Good Luck.

 

yeah, this is a beater. i'm keeping my wrx too. I know enough about cars to get it a good check-up. Good as any mechanic worth going to for this anyway.

i didn't think correct mileage applied to vehicle over 10 years old??? VIN being clear doesn't really matter either does it?

thanks for the advice, now I need to convince(read buy enough beer) a friend to take me a couple hours away and wait for me while i may or may not buy a crappy truck and follow me home in case the police want to stop and chat. how fun